The International Prester John Project: How A Global Legend Was Created Across Six CenturiesMain MenuOrientation to ProjectPath One: 1122-1235Path Two: 1236-1310 ADPath Three : 1311-1460 ADPath Four : 1461-1520 ADPath Five: 1521-1699 ADPath Six: 1700-1800 ADChristopher Taylor // christopher.eric.taylor@gmail.com946e2cf6115688379f338b70e5b6f6c039f8ba6f Global Middle Ages
Hawkweed
12016-03-26T20:52:39-07:00Christopher Taylor // christopher.eric.taylor@gmail.com946e2cf6115688379f338b70e5b6f6c039f8ba6f52816plain2016-03-28T18:47:52-07:00Christopher Taylor // christopher.eric.taylor@gmail.com946e2cf6115688379f338b70e5b6f6c039f8ba6fUebel translates "ierarcham," an unknown word of apparently Greek origin, as "hawkweed" ("hierachiam"), an herb found across Europe, Asia, and Africa that was used in the Middle Ages to help restore eyesight. This is one of several apparent "Graecisms" used in the text that give the appearance (or suggest the possibility) of a Greek original, although no such Greek text has been discovered. All of the earliest copies of the Letter are found in Latin, with the first vernacular texts (mostly French) appearing at the end of the twelfth century.
For more on this "Graecism," see Slessarev, pp. 43-45.
